meaner than my demons

“Billy is a good boy.  While he was the first to arrive after me, I very much doubt that you will be the last.    Our family is strong Lorna.   Though I have not received word of them, they will come, sooner or later.”  Erik held on to that hope, a strong light that kept him on the path he choose when he came here. It helped him cope with the petty jealousy and yes the fear of the humans in Haven.  While most gotten used to his presence and grateful for his help there would always be those that feared mutants.   He simply hoped to build a world where they were a tiny minority and kept under control.  

He took a step closer to Lorna.  Erik did not expect the kind of greeting he received from Billy.   Enough that she truly did seem happy to see him here.  While she might have a point about the nature of his students, in some ways that made things easier.   “Yes but that simply means the baseline humans mixed into my classes have less tools to pull pranks on their teacher.” 

Lorna nodded, pensive. Times like these she wished Wanda or Jean were around; their powers would be far more useful for finding those missing. Like them. “They’ll come,” she repeated. Their family was strong. And so was her family from the Mutant Underground. They’d come.

In the early days of their relationship , the aurora borealis had been something they couldn’t quite control – which led to more than a couple awkward , eye averting explanations. As their relationship blossomed , they learned how to control it , control their reactions to one another. But now , there was no inhibitions , no need for control. The beautiful array of lights that radiated from them now was evidence of how long it had been , and how much he had missed her.

Of course , Marcos barely noticed the lights. As soon as he opened his eyes , pulling back ever so slightly , all he could see was her. Every day they’d been apart , he’d conjure her in his thoughts , but no image in his mind could ever match her now , in the flesh. Tears shimmered in his eyes , a couple escaping down his cheeks. One of his hands moved to cup her cheek , relishing the feel of her skin against his rough and calloused palm. “ I never stopped looking for you. ” His voice was rough , filled with the longing of all the time apart – and the relief that it was over. And then , because it had been so long and so uncertain , he pressed his forehead against hers and said the words he’d sworn he’d never stop saying if he saw her again. “ I love you , Lorna. I love you. ”

When Lorna saw the tears on Marcos’s face, she let out a small surprised laugh. She had missed him so much. So many times she had thought what she would say when she saw him-- admonish him for not answering his phone, find out where he’d been-- but right now all she could do was hold him. “Nor did I,” she admitted. “I was hoping you’d be here when I arrived.” She didn’t add that she’d thought once or twice about leaving here again to find him if she had to. “God, you’re here. You’re actually here.” It had been so long, finding him had begun to feel impossible. Especially in her darker days.

he’d just begun to walk when he heard his name , the sound of it piercing right through him. he knew that voice – he’d know that voice anywhere. “ lorna ?!” frantically he began to look around , head turning in the direction of her voice. there she was , a splash of vibrant green in a world that had seemed so void of brightness for too long. “ lorna ! ” he could hear the roughness in his voice , the break of emotion as the weight of their separation finally lifted from his chest. without giving it a second thought , he sprinted towards her , not caring what anyone thought – and not stopping until his arms were around her. holding her. he needed the reassurance. she was here. she was real. she was alive.

all he had to his name as he finally freely stepped out into haven was a half filled backpack , the clothes he was wearing , and now a clean bandage to cover the gnarly looking wound on his neck. wasn’t much , but marcos was used to living without. at least here , he wouldn’t have to keep looking over his shoulder. hopefully. calloused fingers lightly touched the bandage , thinking of the close call beneath it. for a couple seconds , he just stood there and watched the people. living people. he knew some were mutants ( some may have even been x-men ! ) but right now , they were all survivors. lorna’s a survivor. he clung to the thought , heart aching at the desire to sustain hope.